The start of Advent is not a cue to start on the chocolates in your Advent calendar - as that began on December 1 and marks the countdown to Christmas day. The first Sunday in Advent is the Sunday closest to St Andrew's Day, (November 30) so this year it fell on Sunday, December 3.

This date marks the start of the liturgical or church year and also marks the start of the Christmas season for many in the UK.

So what happens?

Some Christians attend special church services on the first Sunday in Advent, whilst some churches also hold a Christingle service for children and families. During a Christingle service, each child is presented with or carries a Christingle - essentially an orange with a candle in.

A Christingle table display (Image: Richard Pinder)

Many people choose to put up Christmas decorations in their homes, schools and offices on or just after the first Sunday in Advent.

Although the tradition seems to be on the wane, some people still write or post Christmas cards to family members and friends. If you enjoy baking, you may well be making a start on making a traditional Christmas cake or Christmas pudding.

The Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square in London is an annual present from the Norwegians, to say thank you for the British role in the Allied liberation of Norway from the Nazi occupation during the Second World War. It arrives each year via Immingham Dock, whilst Grimsby's tree, arrives each year from Sortland in Norway at Grimsby dock.

Children enjoy the countdown to Christmas day (Image: Getty)

What symbols are used?

The first Sunday of Advent is not a bank holiday in the United Kingdom. Advent and the four Sundays before Christmas Day have been a period of preparation for Christmas for many centuries. Advent wreaths are groups of four candles with leaves and twigs from evergreen trees and plants.

People light one candle on the first Sunday of Advent, two on the second Sunday, three on the third Sunday and all four on the fourth Sunday. Some people then continue to light all four candles during the Christmas period.

Advent calendars countdown the days of December to Christmas day (Image: Getty)

Calendars

An Advent calendar is a special calendar used to count or celebrate the days in anticipation of Christmas. It was first used by German Lutherans in the 19th and 20th centuries. Because the date of the first Sunday of Advent varies, generally falling between November 27 and December 3 inclusive, the Advent calendar usually begins on December 1.

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Most calendars take the traditional form of a large rectangular box with windows/doors (usually perforated), one for each day of December leading up to Christmas Eve, December 24. Doors are opened in date order, one each day, which then reveal a poem, chocolate, small toy or more recently have developed to include make-up and alcohol.

These days, some prefer a handmade version with pockets, where they can put their own mini surprises in. Or have a wooden box version, with pull out drawers to stash treats.